Adjustable shelf for stepladder



Dec. 4, 1951 R T, STEWART 2,577,718

ADJUSTABLE 'SHELF' FOR STEPLADDER Filed OCT.. 27, 194'? 2 SHEETS-SHEET l ATTE! RN EYE Dec. 4, 1951 R T- STEWART 2,577,718

ADJUSTABLE SHELF FOR STEPLDDER Filed 0013. 27, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 I N VEN TOR.

Patented Dec. 4, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT` OFFICE ADJUSTABLE SHELF FOR STEPLADDER Ross T. Stewart, Van Nuys, Calif.

Application October Z7, 1947, Serial No. 782,443

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to an all metal fully adjustable stepladder.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a stepladder with a tray or shelf which is adjustable to different heights on the ladder and wherein the steps are removably secured to the front legs ofthe ladder so that certain ones of them may be removed to provide easy access to pails of paint or other articles on the shelf and wherein the shelf includes a tray which is adjustable to a location in rear of the rear legs or to a location in front of the rear legs.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a metal adjustable stepladder which is of simple construction, inexpensive to manufacture and eiiicient in operation.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the ladder,

Fig. 2 -is a top plan view of the ladder,

Fig. 3 is a sectional View, in elevation, of the ladder taken on lines 3--3 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view of the ladder,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the ladder, in elevation, taken through the connection ofthe lowermost steps with the front legs of the ladder and as viewed generally on line 5-5 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of one of the steps with the end extension retracted,

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the steps but without the end extension thereon,

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the step extensions,

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the connection of the tray with the supporting guide members and generally on line 9-9 of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the figures, I5 represents the front legs of the ladder and I6 the rear legs of the ladder. The upper ends of the front legs have bracket projections I'I to which the rear legs are pivotally connected as indicated at I8. `The front and rear legs are retained spaced apart by foldable braces I9.

The front legs I5 have a series of rectangular shaped holes 2I vertically spaced from one another and adapted to receive step extensions 22 of steps 23. The extensions 22 have holes 24 and project through opening 25 in the ends of the steps. The amount which these extensions extend beyond the ends of the steps is limited by shoulders 26. These extensions have a bifurcate'd portion 21 through'w-hich extend rivets 28 which 2 guide the end extensions and retain them upon the steps. When the extensions 22 are extended and the step disposed between the legs I 5, a catch 3| may be slid downwardly into hole 24 whereby to connect the step with the legs I5. Accordingly, a removable step is provided.

In each of the rear legs there is slidably connected a slide 33 to which a two piece brace 34 for shelf member 35. The inner ends of the pieces 34a and 34h are plvoted at 340 while a slide 34| on the pieces cover the pivot 340 to provide a rigid structure, the opposite end of the piece 34a, is connected as indicated at 36 to the slide 33 while the opposite end of piece 34h is connected at 360 to the shelf 35. On the slide 32 is a at spring 31 adapted to retain a pin 38 in any one of a plurality of holes 39 in the legs I6.

The shelf supports can accordingly be adjusted vertically on the rear legs. Clamps 4I retain the slide in the rear leg. The shelf supports 35 have guide portions 42 over which the sides of tray 43 are extended. The tray 43 can be moved to a position as shown in Fig. 3 in rear of the rear legs or can be slid to a position on the supports 35 between the rear and front legs, Any one of the steps 23 can be removed so that access can be had to the tray 43 from the front of the ladder.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim.

I claim:

A stepladder comprising front and rear legs, a shelf support, a slide on each rear leg for supporting the shelf support, said slide and said rear leg having alined openings therein and spring projected locking means adapted to enter said openings for fastening the slide of each rear leg in any one of a plurality of vertical positions, adjustable links pivotedly connected to each slide and t0 said shelf support to support the rear end of said shelf support and steps for the front legs.

ROSS T. STEWART.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

